Marina Sarruf*
São Paulo – Water dispenser producer Indústria Brasileira de Bebedouros (IBBL) has been exporting to the United Arab Emirates for four years. With an exclusive representative in Dubai, the company ships about 200 water dispensers to the emirate every three or four months. "The Arab market has a large potential and is still explored little," stated the export manager at IBBL, Oswaldo Hosszu.
According to him, one of the company objectives is to increase sales to the Arab market. "We must visit the Arab market to increase our exports to the region. But it is necessary to make prior contact before going," stated Hosszu. The main product exported to Dubai is the pressure drinker, used in public places, like schools, universities and shopping centres.
Currently, IBBL exports around 20% of production. Company products go to over 30 countries, in Latin America, Europe, the United States and Africa. The company has also shipped to Jordan and is negotiating with Egypt. Around 5% of exports are turned to Dubai.
Contacts with Arab importers normally take place at international fairs in Europe. "I believe that Dubai is the easiest emirate to enter. It is an open market," stated Hosszu. According to him, water dispensers shipped to Dubai are also distributed to other emirates.
IBBL
The company is the leader in terms of products and technology among the Brazilian producers of water dispensers. Production totals around 100,000 units a year. Based in the city of Itu, in the interior of São Paulo, IBBL also has a factory in the city of Aracaju, in the northeastern Brazilian state of Sergipe, turned to the demand on the foreign market, mainly in the Northeast. Around 100 employees work at the company.
Apart from water dispensers, IBBL produces water purifiers, filters, coolers for drink storage and accessories. A differentiated company product is the drinker for impaired people. The equipment is fixed to walls, permitting the access of people in wheelchairs. These water dispensers are operated by pressing buttons installed on their front and sides and are also labelled in Braille.
IBBL
Telephone: (+55 11) 4022 9300
Site: www.ibbl.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
